Nicotine Addiction Rise Among Current Smokers

According to the researchers at the Palo Alto Centre for Pulmonary Disease Prevention and the St. Helena Hospital in Napa, Calif, addiction of nicotine among current smokers is much higher as compared to the smokers two decades back. It will be difficult for current smokers to quit smoking.

This research was conducted from 1989 to 2006. In three studies, researchers examined the “pre-treatment severity of nicotine dependence” in the smokers. Researchers established that during the period of three years, there was 17.5 percent rise in the individuals addicted to nicotine. According to the statistics attained from the research, “severe nicotine addiction had gone up between 1989 and 2006 and the percentage of smokers classified as highly nicotine dependent, as much as 32 percent.”

Researchers failed to establish any concrete reason for the rise in nicotine addiction. However, they successfully explained that individuals with lower nicotine addiction found it easier to quit smoking as compared to individuals with higher nicotine addiction.

Popular Drugs for Smoking Termination

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), there are many stages and medical drugs for those who want to quit smoking. Individuals at the stage of actionable cessation will find a large variety of therapies and medicines to get rid of smoking. Following are the some of the most popular and common drugs used for smoking termination:

• Mecamylamine (Inversine)
• Silver acetate
• Clonidine (catapres)
• Nicotine inhaler
• Buproprion
• Nicotine gum
• Nicotine nasal spray
• Nicotine patch
• Alpraxolam (Xanax)

Side Effects of Quitting

According to the AAFP, consumption of few drugs may lead to serious side effects in the patients using it. Following are the signs and symptoms of smoking termination drugs:

• Decreased heart rate
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Food cravings

Of all the smoking cessation drugs, Chantix is one of the most problematic drugs as it has been linked to cause various side effects. Chantix, also known as Varenicline Tartrate was introduced to the market by Pfizer.

The drug was released to the market on May 10, 2006 after the approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In November 2007, FDA received 37 cases of suicides and more than 400 cases of depression associated with the use of Chantix. FDA issued a public health advisory on February 1, 2008. . Two weeks after the FDA issued this report, Pfizer increased the warnings on all Chantix labels. Chantix is still available in the market. New label warns the patients or users about the following side effects:

• Unusual, strange or vivid dreams
• Vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Gas

Moreover, new warning recommends patients to discontinue with the drugs if they observe mood swings. It further states that patients should immediately consult the doctor for timely treatment. According to Pfizer, following are the significant mood changes that a patient consuming Chantix should observe:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Depressed mood
• Suicidal tendencies
• Changes in behavior
• Agitation
• Depression

Patients who have suffered or are suffering from the side effects of Chantix should seek the advice of pharmaceutical attorney who will assist in filing a lawsuit against the company so that you may receive monetary compensation for the damages caused to you by the use of drug.